Method and apparatus for handling object faults in an electronic reprographic printing system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for handling software object faults in an electronic reprographic system for scanning and synchronously or asynchronously processing and printing a plurality of jobs are described. The system is monitored for the occurrence of software object faults in a job, and when such faults are identified, the operator is informed of such software object faults prior to processing of the object. The system is provided with the means to process another object without operator intervention prior to correction of the faulted object, and to proceed with processing the faulted object after correction of the fault.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for handling object faults in an electronic reprographic system for scanning and synchronously or asynchronously processing and printing a plurality of jobs, comprising the steps of: monitoring the system for the occurrence of at least one object fault in a job;   identifying said fault;   informing an operator of said object fault prior to processing and printing of said one job, and;   permitting the system to process another job in the plurality of jobs without operator intervention prior to correction of said fault in said one job.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of permitting the system to process said one job after correction of said fault. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of informing the operator includes displaying instructions to the operator for clearing said fault. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the display step includes the step of allowing the operator to view the instructions and all said faults associated with the faulted job on a user interface. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of providing a special menu option on the user interface is provided to allow the operator to view all said faults associated with the job. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for handling object faults in an electronic reprographic system for scanning and synchronously or asynchronously processing and printing a plurality of jobs, comprising: means for monitoring the system for occurrence of at least one object fault in a job;   means for identifying said fault;   means for informing an operator of said fault prior to processing and printing of said job; and   means for permitting the system to process another job in the plurality of jobs without operator intervention prior to correction of said fault in said one job.   
     
     
       7. A means for permitting the system to process another job in the plurality of jobs without operator intervention prior to correction of said fault in said one job. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the means for informing the operator includes the means for displaying instructions to the operator for clearing said fault. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the display means includes means for allowing the operator to view the instructions and all said faults associated with the faulted job on a user interface. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein a special menu option on the user interface is provided to allow the operator to view all said faults associated with the job.